Underground electric-railway system.



No. 649,990. Pafented May 22, I900.

J. B. LARKIN. UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed. Sept. 9, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

INVENTOR rjalznBLarltirv ATTORNEYS.

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No. 649,990. Patented May 22, I990.--

, J. B. LABKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Sept. 9, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

wxmasses: 1'' .4 INVENTOR I W45? We 'm: NORRIS PETERS co p ne-mums. WASHNGTGN. C

Patented May 22, I900. J. B. LARKIN. UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Sept. 9, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR WITNESSES Larlva W J HTlORNEYS.

'm: NORRIS versus co, PHGfO-LITNO. WASNWGTON. a. c,

'No. 649,990. Patented May22, I900. J. B. LARK IN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Sept. 9, 1899.)

(No Model.) SSheets-Sheet 4.

. I J5 7 03$ Y a. V /////W/m INVENTOR No. 649,996. X Patented May 22,- I900.

J. B. LARKIN. UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

' (Appiication filed. Sept. 9, 1399.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

170MB. curl 'cln/ ATTORNEYS.

-NIED "STATES PATET CFFICE.

JOHN B. LARKIN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 110,649,990, dated May 22,1900. Application filed September 9,189.91. Serial No. 729,942". (No model.) 7

To all whom itnuty concern: I

Be it known that I, JOHN B. LARKIN, a t-iiizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Underground Electric-Railway Systems, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying draw- This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in systems folunderground electric railways, and more particu larly to subsurface conduits for electric conductors in which a traveling connection is established and maintained between the moving car and the closed and protected supplyconductor by a contact device moving with the car and extending through the surfaceslot in the conduit, and has for one object the provision of novel means whereby the entire electric feed-wire is conducted underground.

The present invention has for a further object the placing of the conduit in a position adjacent. to the rails that will not interfere in any way with the ordinary traific, and, furthermore, to provide novel means whereby the slot leading to said conduit will be easily opened through the medium and arrangement of novel mechanism attached to the moving car.

The invention further aims to provide an automatic slot-closer that will resist and form a lock against any direct downward pressure that may be brought to bear upon the same and, furthermore, act as a guard to prevent the entrance to the conduit of water, ice, snow, dirt, and other substances that would otherwise tend to clog the slot and interfere with the successful operation of the system.

The herein-described invention further con templates to construct a shallow conduit adjacent to and extending in alinement with the outer rails of the tracks, the depth of said conduits being equal to the height of the rail, the latter forming one of the walls of said conduits, thereby making it possible to arrange the mechanism within a comparatively-contracted space and greatly reduce the cost of construction.

Various details of construction enter into I my invention; but the practical and preferred form of the same is shown in the accompanying drawings and will be specifically described and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims. t

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a port-ion of a car provided with my improvements and showing the underground conduit in vertical section for the purpose of illustrating more clearly the novel mechanism arranged therein.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the roada bed as it appears with the cover of the conduit removed therefrom. Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail of the slot-closer as it is employed for curves of the track. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the truck of a car, the lower portion of the car having my improvements attached thereto. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lever and connection for operating the depressing-wheels of the slot-closer. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of the fender of the car, show ing the end of the operating-cable attached thereto. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail front elevation of the trolley. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the hangers carrying the lever and connection for operating the depressing-wheels of the slot-closer. Fig. 10 is a similar view of the bifurcated link con necting the operating-lever of the slot-closer. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the manner of connection of the two sections of the lever operating the slot-closer. 'Fig. 12 is a similar view showing in dotted lines the op eration of the hinge connections when the car is swaying or is traveling over curves or switches. Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the insulated end of one of the pins for carrying the feed-wire. Fig. 14 is an en larged transverse vertical sectional view of the conduit, showing the slot-closer in its normalposition. Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the slot-closer depressed and as it appears when the car is traversing over the same. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the trolley-. wheel and harp. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the conduit. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the slot-closer. Fig. 19 is an inverted view of the same. Fig. 20 is one of the connecting-links of the slot-closer.

In the drawings the reference-numeral 1 the platform 2 of the car.

indicates the body portion of the car, and 2 the platform of the same, upon said platform being arranged. a lever 3, which is pivotally connected. at 4 and extends through the bottom of the platform, said lever having a slotted end, as shown at 5, and carries a gravity-pawl 6,,which is adapted to engage in a segmental tooth-rack 7, arranged upon The slotted end 5 of the said lever 3 is adapted to engage a pin 8, provided with a suitable head, said pin being attachedto the free end of the operating-lever, thislever being composed of two parts 9 and 10 and the engaging ends thereof forming a hinge connection 11 between said parts. The part 10 is further provided with downwardly-extending arms 1.2, upon which are mounted at 13 depressingwheels 14 of the slot-closer. The section 10 of the operating -lever is further provided with bifurcated links 15, which are pivotally,

secured thereto and are adapted to be pivotally connected at 16 to hangers 17, the latter being rigidly secured to the under side of the car. 7 I

a It will be noted that'in the constructionof the operating-rod, arms, depressing-wheels, hangers, and links they are all set at an angle of from thirty degrees to forty-five degrees to the under side of the car.

The reference -numeral 18 represents a hanger rigidly secured to the truck of the ]car,.in which is pivotally mounted an arm 19, forming a harp 20 at its lower extremity,

o of the trolley-wheel.

I arm 19, this cord'or cable passing over the j The reference-numeral30 'representsa loop in which is secured a trolley-wheel 21, said harpvbeingslotted, as shown at 22, carrying a spiral spring 23, operating in the bearing A spiral spring 24 is secured at one end to the arm 19 and fastened at its other end to the under face-of the truck, as shown'at 25. An operating cord or cable 26 is secured at 27 to the other end of said pulleyf28, arranged to the underneath side ofthe 'car in a suitable hanger, and thence o'vera pulley 29, arranged to the under side of theplatform in a like manner.

formed at the free end of the said cord or cable, 26,vwhich is adapted to be held and engagea hook 31, placed in the inner side of the fender. The operating cord or cable also passes'through the platform of the car, as

shown by the reference-numeral 32 in Fig. '7 ofthe drawings. o I 7 V v Referring now to the conduit and mechanism arranged therein, the reference-numeral u 33 represents the rail, and 34 the casing, said portion being provided at suitable intervals withan. insulator 37, upon which is arranged the feed-wire 38. The interior face of the an.-

gle side 35 is provided with guide-posts 39, the-latterbeing encircled by a spiral spring 40, the lower end of said spring being securely fastened at 41 to the lower end of the guideposts 39 and extends upwardly at an angle in the recess 42, formed in the sections of the slot-closer 43, said sections having their sides cut away, as shown at 44, and are further provided with recesses 45, adapted to receive guide-pins 46, which extend through the angular sides 35 of the conduit and extend at the same angle as the guide-posts 39. The ends of the sections of the slot-closer also carry a male member 47 and a female member 48, said male member consisting of a head '49, carrying a pin 50, said head 49 being adapted to fit against thev cut-away portion 51 correspond with the angle at which the slotcloser is depressed and operates. 'tions of the slot-closer arealso slightly bev-- The seceled at one side, as shown at 57, forming a shoulder 58, the latter being adapted to abut against the side of the rail 59 and limit the upward movement of the slot-closer. V

It will be noted that all the parts and mechanism connected with the heretofore described invention may be easily accessible if they should become out of adjustment, and in case any of the parts are broken they can be easily replaced at a comparativelysmall cost.

V The operation of my improved system for underground electric railways is as follows, and in order to clearly illustrate the operation I WilLfirst describe the movement and function of the depressing-wheels: These wheels are operated through the medium of the lever 3, extending upwardly through the platform of the car, this lever 3 being'pressed forwardly, which operation imparts a rearward and downward movement to the operating-lever 9, a downward movement being permitted by the pin 8 sliding downwardly in the slotted end 5, the rearward movement being permitted by the bifurcated links 15, the latter also limiting the downward movement of the operating-leveri), this lever 9 carrying with it the downwardly-extending arms upon which the depressing-wheels 14 are mounted. the wheels 14 against the upper face of the slot-closer and depress the same at an angle,

as shownin Fig. 2 of the drawings. The dey pressing-wheels partly enter the conduit and depress the sections of the slot-closer, therebydepressing the spiral spring 40 and allowing a slight expansion of the slot-closer, which.-

will be equal to the length of the slot .52, formed in the connecting ends of the sections. As the car traverses over the sections of the This operation will tend to depress slot-closer the sections will again return to their normal position by reason of the spiral spring 40, and by this means only a few sections of the slot-closer will be in operation, the slot being closed both in front of and in the rear of the car. As the sections of the slot-closer are depressed the guide-pins will further serve to accurately guide and return the slot-closer to its proper position in the slot.

The operation of the trolley is as follows: The trolley has a direct downward movement and is not set at an angle, as the depressing-wheels, the trolley being operated by means of the cord or cable, the one end of which is suspended from ahook 31, arranged to the front of the car. As this cord or cable is drawn taut the arm 19 will be raised out of the slot, thereby disengaging the trolleywheel from the feed-wire and allowing the depressing-wheels to be raised when the occasion requires. In order to engage the trolley again with the feed-wire, the depressing,- wheels are lowered to their normal position and the free end of the cord or cable is disengaged from the hook, allowing the spiral spring 24 to return the trolley-wheel to its normal position. In order to allow and compensate for any irregularities that may be found in the feed-wire, the trolley-wheel is mounted in a movable bearing, the springs 23 serving to take up the jar which would otherwise be occasioned by such unevenness or irregularity of the wire and, furthermore, assuring a constant contact of the trolley-wheel with the feed-wire.

. It will be readily understood that by the peculiar construction and shape of the slot and slot-closer a perfect lock will be formed against any direct downward pressure upon the upper face of the slot-closer, and in order to:open the slot a pressure is required equal to the operating-lever 9 and arms 12, that are set at an angle.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have illustrated the slot-closer as used for curves, and a comparatively-short curve can be constructed with my improved system, the operation of the mechanism when traversing the curve being substantially the same as traveling over the other course. In case a switch, railroadcrossing, or other obstruction is met the trolley-wheel and the depressing-wheels may be lifted out of the slot by the described mechanism, as heretofore stated, the momentum of the car carrying the same over the obstruction, when the trolley and depressing wheels may be lowered to resume their functions.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that various changes maybe madein the de tails of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention. For example, I do not wish to limit myself to the position of the conduit adjacent to the rail, as the same may be placed adjacent to the inner or outer rail or in the center between what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination,withasuitable conduit adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to receive a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage said electric conductor, a slot-closer set at an angle and formed of sections adapted to operate in said slot, and yielding supports for said slot closer arranged to hold said sections in said slot and permitting them to be moved downwardly and out of the slot and into the conduit as the car passes over the slot, substantially as described.

2. Thecombination,withasuitableconduit arranged adjacent to one of the rails of a track and containing an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric conductor, a slot-closer formed of sections, yielding supports set at an angle for the said slotcloser and adapted to hold the same in the said slot and permitting it to be moved downwardly and out of the slot and into the conduit as the trolley-arm passes along the slot, substantially as described.

3. The coin'binatiomwith a suitable conduit arranged adjacent to one of the rails ofatrack and adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric conductor, a slot-closer formed of sections, yielding supports and guide-pins set at an angle and arranged to hold said sections in said slot and permitting them to be moved downwardly out of the slot and into the conduit as the trolley-arm passes along the slot, sub stantially as described.

4. The combination,witha suitable conduit adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to permit the trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric condoctor, a slot-closer formed of sections, guideposts set at an angle and carrying yielding supports for said sections, and means carried by the said car to depress the said slot-closer,

substantially as described.

5. The combinatioinwith a suitable conduit arranged adjacent to the rail adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric conductor, a slotclos'er formed of sections, guide-posts seta't' an angle and carrying yielding supports for saidslot-closer, de'pressingwheels suspended -lfrom the car adapted to move the slot-closer slot closer operating at an angle in said con d'uit, substantially as described. 7 Ilhecombinatiomwith a suitable conduit arranged adja'centto' the rail adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with 1 upon yielding supports, and means carried bytheca-r whereby the said slot-closer is depressed atan angle in said conduit, substana slot extending in alinement with said rail adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric conductor, aslot-closer set at an angle and mounted ti'ally as; described. 7 1 8. The c'ombinatiomwith a suitable conduit arranged'adjacent to the outer rail adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a slot extending in alinement with-said rail adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric'conduct'or, a-slot-closer formed of sections mounted upon yielding supports, said supports being arranged at an angle in said conduit, and

ed 'to depress said slot-closer at an angle and inte the said; conduit as the car passes along the slot, substantially as described. f

9'. Thecombination,withasuitable conduit adapted to contain an electric conductor and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening. adapted'to receive a trolley-arm to enterthe conduitand engage'the said electric condu'c tor, a slot-closer formed of sections adapted tooperate in said conduit, guide-: posts arran'ged at an angle for the said slot-closer, yielding supports for said slot-closer arranged to hold the said sections in said slot and per mitting them to be moved downwardly and along saidslot, and means for limiting the upwaragm vement of the said slot-closer, substantially asdescribed.

liOIThe' combination, with a suitable con'-" duitarranged adjacentto the rail containing anelectricconductor and provided with a slot extend-ing in alinemeut with said rail adapted to permit a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage the said electric conductor, aslote closer formed of yieldinghinged sections and arranged to operate at an angle, yieldingsnp ports for said slot-closer to hold the same in thes aid slot and permitting it to be moved downwardly and upwardly by meansof mechanism suspended from the car as the same traverses along the slot, substantially as described. v p

11.. The combination, with a suitable con duit adapted to contain an electric conductor 1 and provided with a longitudinal slot or opening adapted to receive a trolley-arm to enter the conduit and engage said electric conductor, a slot-closer formed of yielding hinged sections, depressing} wheels adapted to be raised and lowered from the body of the car 1 to engage said slot-closer and move the same i downwardly, and means suspended from the car to raise and lower the said. trolley-arm 12. In a system of the character described,

rth'ecombination of a conduit having one of its sides formed by a rail-section of a track and a casing having one of its sidesset at an angle andarranged adjacent to the said rail,

a removable cover for the said casing, said cover and. rail-section so arranged that the sides thereof 7 will form a longitudinal slot,

and'means adapted to operate atan angle for fopening and closing the said slot, substantially as described.

13. In a system of" the character described,

Q the combination of a conduit formed of a casing. having one'of its'sides set at an angle, a removable cover, a rail so arranged as: to form a slot between said. removable coverand the rail, guide-posts arranged in the said casing, and means arranged upon said guide-post and liadapted to operate at an anglefor' retaining laslot-clos'er within the said slot, substantially f-as set forth.

depressing-wheels arranged on the car adapt- 'the' combination of a conduit formed of'the rail, a casing having one of its sides setat an "angle and carrying yielding connections,,a

slot-closer mounted on said yielding connec- -tion, a removable cover arranged on said casing, said slot-closer adapted to operate between said rail and cover, substautia'lly'as set :forth.

15. In a system of the character described,

the combination with a; conduit'form'ed of a casing having one of its sides set at an angle and having mounted thereon a slot-closer and a yielding connection, substantially as set forth. I upwardly'in'said conduit as the car passes ing having oneof its sides set atanangle, said side carryi'ng'a guide-post and yielding connection, and a slot-closer formed of sections, substantially as set forth. I

17. In a system of the characterdescrib'e'd,

a conduit formed of the rail, a casing h'a'ving one'of its sides set at an angle carrying'a guidepost, a spring encircling said guide-post and operating in the slot-closer, a removable cover i secured on' said casing forming aslot between said cover andr'ail", substantially asset forth.

independently of the said depressing-wheels, substantially as herein shown and described.

18. The combination, with theslotted conduit, of a continuous slot-closer formed of sections operating at an angle and adapted to close the slot in'the conduit, and the series of yielding supports engaging said sections and holding them in said slot until said sections are moved down out of the slot, so as to permit the trolley-arm passing along in the slot to engage the electric conductor supported in said conduit, substantially as described.

19. The combination, with the slotted conduit adapted to contain an electric conductor directly below and in alinement with said slot in the conduit, a slot-closer arranged at an angle so that when forced downwardly will be out of alinement with said slot and said electric conductor allowing the trolley-arm to operate vertically in said slot, and means for limiting the upward movement of the said closer, substantially as described.

20. The combination, with the slotted conduit, of a continuous slot-closer formed of hinged sections and arranged at an angle, and a series of yielding supports engaging said sections to permit said sections to be moved downwardly and upwardly at an angle in said conduit so as to permit the trolley-arm passing down vertically in said slot to engage the electric conductor supported in said conduit, substantially as described.

21. The combination, with the slotted conduit, of aslot-closer formed of hinged sections adapted to close the slot in the conduit, yielding supports set at an angle engaging said slotcloser in the conduit, a car, a conductor arranged in said conduit, depressing-wheels arranged upon said car, means whereby said depressing-wheels are raised and lowered adapted to engage the upper face of said slot-closer, and an arm extending from the car and carrying a trolley device adapted to engage said conductor in the conduit, substantially as described.

- 22. In an underground railway system, the combination of a conduit formed of a casing and one of the rail-sections of the track, a removable cover for the said casing, and so arranged as to form a slot between the same and said rail, a series of guide-posts arranged at an angle in the said casing, anda spring-actuated slot-closer formed in sections and operating at an an gle,substantially as described.

23. In an underground railway system, the combination of a conduit provided with alongitudinal slot, a series of guide-posts arranged in the said conduit, a spring-actuated slotcloser formed in sections and adapted to operate at an angle upon the said guide-posts, and means for operating the said slot-closer, substantially as described.

24. In an underground railway system, the combination with acar carrying means for operating a slot-closer, and having a trolleywheel suitably connected thereto,of a conduit suitably arranged within or adjacent to the track-bed and provided with a longitudinal slot, an electrical conductor arranged in the said conduit and adapted to be engaged by the said trolley-wheel, a series of guide-posts arranged at an angle within the said conduit, and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed in sections and adapted to be operated by the said operating means therefor at an angle, substantially as set forth.

25. In an underground railway system, the combination with a car carrying operating means for a slot-closer, and a trolley-wheel suitably connected thereto, of a conduit suitably arranged within or adjacent to the trackbed and provided with a longitudinal slot, an electrical conductor arranged in the said conduit and adapted to be engaged by the said trolley-wheel, a series of guide-posts arranged at an angle within the said conduit, a springactuated slot-closer formed in sections and adapted to be operated at an angle by the said operating means carried by the car, and a series of guide-pins arranged at an angle in the said conduit for the said slot-closer, substantially as described.

26. In an underground railway system, the combination with a car carrying operating means for a slotcloser, and a trolley-wheel suitably connected thereto, of a conduit formed of a casing and one of the rail-sections of the track, a removable cover for the said casing and so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, an electrical conductor arranged in the said conduit and adapted to be engaged by the said trolley-wheel, a series of guide-posts arranged at an angle within the said conduit, and a spring-actuated slot-closer formed in sections and adapted to be operated at an angle by the said operating means carried by the car, substantially as described.

27. In an underground railway system, the combination with a car carrying operating means for a slot-closer and a trolley-wheel suitably connected thereto, of a conduit formed of a casing and one of the rail-sections of the track, a removable cover for the said casing and so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, an electrical conductor arranged in the said conduit and adapted to be engaged by the said trolley-wheel, aseries of guide-posts arranged at an angle within the said conduit, a spring actuated slot-closer formed in sections and adapted to be operated at an angle by the said operating means carried by the car, and a series of guide-pins arranged at an angle within the said conduit for the said sections, substantially as described.

28. In an underground railway system, a conduit formed of a casing and one of the rails of a track, a removable cover provided upon its lower face with a recess adapted to receive a portion of the side of the said casing for se curing the cover in position, and so arranged in respect to the said rail that an elongated longitudinal slot is formed to allow of the operation of a trolley-wheel and stem within the said casing, a series of guide-posts arranged IIO at. an angle within the' casing and having mounted thereon a compression-sprin'g zand a series of guide-pins arranged; at an. angle within the said .casing, substantially as def scribed. V J .j N

29.. In anundergro'und railway system, the combination with a. conduitprovidedwith a longitudinal-slot, ofIa'closerforthe' sa'idslot consisting pot" a series of sections,'each pro= vided with means at each end for securing the same together and further provided with z the recesses 42 to receive a spring-actuating means, rfecesses 45. to receive a guideimeans, and the cut-away portions'44, substantially as described; V w. v a.

3,0. In an underground railway system, the combination .with a conduit-provided with a J longitudinal slot, lofacloser for the saidslot composed of a series of sections, one end of each of' the saidsections formed of a head 49,

andspin O suitably connected thereto, and

the opposite end of each of the said sections 1 formed with a head 48 provided with a slot the car'body, a pair of downwardly-extending 52to receive the said pin for securing theisaid sections together, substantially as described;

.31. In a railway system, the combination with a conduit provided with a longitudinal slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer.there-.

forgot an" operating means carried by a car for-the .said slot-closer and consisting of a lever formed of two sections 9 and 10 suit-v ably connected together and supported from arms formed integral with the said section 10, a depressing-wheelconnected to each of the saidarms and adapted to engage the said slotcloser, and means foroperating said lever and adapted to cause the said wheels to opslot-"and spring-actuated slot-closer therefor,

crate the said slot-closer,substantial] y as de scribed.

32. In a railway system, the'combination with a conduit provided with a longitudinal of 'anoperating means carried by a car for the said slot-closer and consisting of a lever formed of two sections 9 and 10 suitably connected together, a pair of bifurcated links suitabl'ysuspen'ded from the bottom of "a car andadapted to support said section 10, a pair of downwardly-extending arms formed intogral with the said section 10, a depressing- Wheelconnected to each of the said arms and -adapted"to engage the said slot-closer, and

means for operating said lever and adapted to cause the said wheels to operate the said slot-closer, substantially as described.

33. In a railway system, the combination with a conduit provided with an elongated slot and a spring-actuated slot-closer therefor operating upon a series of guide posts and pins, of anoperating means carriedby a car forthe said slot-closer and consisting of alever formed of two sections 9 and 10 suitably connected together, a pair of links suitably suspended from the car and adapted to sup-- port said section '10,,"a pai'rof downwardly-extending arms connected to the said section 10, a depressing-wheel secured to each of the said arms .and .adapted to: en gage l the. said slotcloser; a trolley suitably suspended fro'mthecar, and means for operatingithe said lever for ca'using the said 'wheelsto suitably de- 1 press the said slot-closerto allow of the operation of the trolleywithin (the said conduit, f substantially as described. J i

34:. In a railway system, the combination witha conduit provided with a-longitu'dinal slot, of aslot-closer formed of a series ofsections'operating at an angle and having the upper face thereofion a horizontal plane, and depressing-wheels for-operatin g the said slotcloser having theirtread on a horizontal plane when inan operative position, substantially as described. I a

35. In a railway system, a'con'duit formed with 'a longitudinal wedge shaped slot, a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of a series of sections, operating at an angle and ad'apted :to be normally seated within the said slot,

each of the said sections having their upper face formed on a horizontalplane, a series of guide posts and pins arranged in the conduit for the said sections, depressing-wheels for operating the said slot-closer having their tread on a horizontalplane when in an operative position, in combinationwith meansfcarried by a car and connected to the said wheels for operating'the scribed.

same, substantially as de- 36. Ina railway system, a conduit formed with a longitudinal slot, a spring-actuated "slot-closer adapted to normally close the said slot and having its upper face on the same plane as the 'top of the conduit, depressingwheels for operating the said slot-closerhaving their tread formed on a horizontal plane when in an operative position, in combination with means carried by a car and connected to the said wheels for operating the same, substantially as described.

37.' In a railway system, a conduit formed with a suitable slot, a spring-actuated slotcloser adapted to normally closethe said slot and having its upper face on the same plane as the top of the conduit, said closer'formed of a series of sections suitably connected together, a series of guide posts and pins arranged in the said conduit for the said closer, depressing-wheels for operating said slotcloser and arranged at an angle,in combina tion with means carried by a car and connected to the said wheels for operating the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. LARKI'N.

. Vitnesses:

J OHN NOLAND, H. O. EVERTL IIC 

